"Going against a guy like Machida, you can't just go in there and rush for the takedown immediately. He is expecting that. He is illusive, he has good footwork and he'll bait you. You have to have controlled aggression. You can't be timid. His kicks are going to be successful and you have to be in the right space to stop them - mixing up your punches and takedowns. I hope he comes hard. He has been coming hard the whole time and so have I. If you're not going to go hard, then what are you doing here? I am ready for it. I have been training hard. I have the right people around me. I am more technical than ever. I am ready for it."

-- Ryan Bader lays out his game plan for his fight against Lyoto Machida in the co-main event of UFC on Fox 4: "Shogun vs. Vera," which takes place tonight (Sat., Aug. 4, 2012) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. It's mostly obvious to anyone who has ever watched "The Dragon" do his thing inside the Octagon before. He's quick -- and will probably be even quicker having weighed in at just 201-pounds for this bout -- elusive, and maddeningly patient. It's far too easy to over-commit to a big punch that looks available and once you realize it's not, it's too late. Bader recognizes the various issues he's going to run into but will he be able to do anything about them? Are any of you Maniacs thinking he shocks the world and pulls off the upset? Let's hear it.